Redescription of Antarctophthirus lobodontis (Anoplura: Echinophthiriidae) from the crabeater seal and identification key for Antarctic lice

Abstract

The Anoplura (Phthiraptera) is composed of lice parasitizing mainly terrestrial mammals, but a few members have been able to adapt to the marine environment. The latter are included in the family Echinophthiriidae, a particular group infecting pinnipeds worldwide. They also are of the few insects that managed to survive in the ocean. The study of Antarctic echinophthiriids flourished in the 1960s, but in the last 50 years, no advance has been made. Revision of Antarctic echinophthiriids is part of ongoing research on the systematics, phylogeny and ecology of these lice. During the summer season of 2014, we had the opportunity to collect lice from crabeater seals captured at Cierva Cove in the northern sector of the Danco Coast, Antarctic Peninsula. Since its original description was incomplete and the holotypes were lost, here we redescribe Antarctophthirus lobodontis based on these specimens. The present material can be distinguished from other Antarctic Antarctophthirus species by the presence of four marginal long hairs and in the basis of the head a line of eight spines and three hairs above the last row of four spines. Also in the present work, we provide a key to the identification of the Antarctic species of Echinophthiriidae based on morphological characteristics.

Fragmented mitochondrial genomes of seal lice (family Echinophthiriidae) and gorilla louse (family Pthiridae): frequent minichromosomal splits and a host switch of lice between seals

“…The crabeater seal louse, Antarctophthirus lobodontis , was described by Enderlein [ 20 ] and redescribed by Leonardi et al [ 21 ]; the Weddell seal louse, Antarctophthirus carlinii , was described by Leonardi et al [ 22 ]. These two species are very similar in morphology [ 21 , 22 ].…”

“…The crabeater seal louse, Antarctophthirus lobodontis , was described by Enderlein [ 20 ] and redescribed by Leonardi et al [ 21 ]; the Weddell seal louse, Antarctophthirus carlinii , was described by Leonardi et al [ 22 ]. These two species are very similar in morphology [ 21 , 22 ]. Leonardi et al [ 21 ] provided two morphological characters to differentiate between these two species: 1) Antarctophthirus carlinii has six dorsal posterior long hairs (four marginal and two principal) around the posterior border of the head while Antarctophthirus lobodontis has only four marginal long hairs around the posterior border of the head; and 2) Antarctophthirus lobodontis has a line of eight spines in the basis of the head and three hairs above the last row of four spines.…”

“…These two species are very similar in morphology [ 21 , 22 ]. Leonardi et al [ 21 ] provided two morphological characters to differentiate between these two species: 1) Antarctophthirus carlinii has six dorsal posterior long hairs (four marginal and two principal) around the posterior border of the head while Antarctophthirus lobodontis has only four marginal long hairs around the posterior border of the head; and 2) Antarctophthirus lobodontis has a line of eight spines in the basis of the head and three hairs above the last row of four spines. As reported above, Antarctophthirus carlinii and Antarctophthirus lobodontis have identical mt karyotypes (Fig.…”

The Seal Louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: Investigation of Vector-Borne Pathogens and Morphological Adaptations

“…Previously, echinophthiriid species of the genus Antarctophthirus were examined regarding morphology [5,9,10] and transmission possibilities [11,12,13]. Haul-out periods of pinnipeds on land during mating, parturition and lactation are decisive for reproduction and transmission of echinophthiriid lice, as eggs of lice do not survive submerging and transmission depends on physical contact between seals.…”

Antarctophthirus microchir infestation in synanthropic South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) males diagnosed by a novel non-invasive method

“…In past decades, most investigations on echinophthiriid lice required capturing and fixation techniques (Murray and Nicholls 1965 ; Kim 1972 ; Kim 1975 ; Thompson et al 1998 ; Mehlhorn et al 2002 ; Crovetto et al 2008 ; Leonardi et al 2012b ), immobilization applying anesthetic protocols (Murray and Nicholls 1965 ; Thompson et al 1998 ; Dailey et al 2005 ; Leonardi et al 2014 , 2016 ), or even death of free-ranging pinniped host species (Scherf 1963 ; Murray and Nicholls 1965 ; Murray et al 1965 ; Kim 1972 ). Furthermore, several investigations were performed during necropsies of found carcasses of O. flavescens individuals (Morgades et al 2006 ; Gomez-Puerta and Gonzales-Viera 2015 ).…”